Flynn Farm, Mansion, and Barn, Renaissance Revival mansion and farm complex in Des Moines, Iowa.
Flynn Farm is a two-story brick mansion with a hipped roof, cupola, and wide bracketed eaves that forms part of a larger farm complex. The property also includes a substantial barn with board-and-batten siding, together representing the typical layout of a wealthy 19th-century estate.
Martin Flynn, an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in railroad construction, acquired the land in 1867 and built the mansion between 1870 and 1871. The property reflects the success story of wealthy immigrants in Iowa's agricultural region.
The mansion displays how wealthy 19th-century businessmen lived, featuring modern conveniences like gas lighting and running water that were still rare at the time. Visitors can see how these systems shaped the family's daily routines.
The property is part of Living History Farms, where visitors can experience guided tours demonstrating agricultural practices and domestic life from different time periods. Wearing comfortable shoes is helpful, as visits cover both the mansion and outdoor areas.
From 1914 to 1967, the property served as Clive Honor Prison Farm, where inmates cultivated crops and maintained agricultural operations. This unusual phase shaped the site's history for over 50 years.
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